Transcript the mind-body connect

THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
MINDSTITUTE by GROWW
 DR SUNITA BANERJI
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
MINDSTITUTE by GROWW
•
The Ancient Greeks such as Plato and Aristotle recognized the
connections between mind and body and believed that they were not
separate but existed as a unit working together.
• The Greeks believed physical activity helped not just the body but the
development and growth of the mind. Therefore exercise was highly
encouraged and described as “bodily exercise”. Plato felt human
perfection could be attained by way of understanding and putting to use
the mind-body connection.
• Western Medicine traditionally, separated the physical body from the nonphysical mind, believing in their independent existence. Today, western
medicine accepts a possible link between the mind and body, supporting
alternative methods
• Eastern Medicine has always understood the link between the mind and
the body and has evolved methods to keep them in balance
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
MINDSTITUTE by GROWW
 The body is like a car which cannot move without
the mind, which is its key. Once the key is put in
the ignition, you are capable of going in almost any
direction.
The body-mind connection is the most powerful
force that affects your health
 Establishing a strong mind body connection is
important for overall health and emotional
wellness. Being mindful of this connection helps us
choose and create health.
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
MINDSTITUTE by GROWW
 A mind/body approach suggests that the mind and body
work in concert to produce your current state of health.
Thus, thoughts and emotions effect your physical state.
In turn, your physical state effects your mental outlook.
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
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 Our emotions and physical health are inextricably
linked. Think of a time when you felt joy. How did
your body feel? Light, balanced, healthy, energetic.
Now think of a time when you felt great sadness.
Your body responded by feeling heavy, slow, achy.
This is the mind body connection at work
 The mind body connection is extremely powerful
and can contribute to serious illness or heal
serious illness
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
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BODY SYSTEMS
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
THE HORMONAL SYSTEM
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
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THE FUNDAMENTALS
 All mental functions are controlled by the Nervous
System: electrical
 e.g. movements, organ functions
 All bodily processes are controlled by the
Endocrine System: chemical (hormones)
 e.g. metabolism, cellular processes
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
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THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
 The Central Nervous System consists of the Brain
and Spinal Cord. It contains millions of neurones
(nerve cells).
 The Peripheral Nervous System consists of all the
sensory nerves (these feed information into the
spinal cord and brain) and the motor nerves (these
carry messages from the brain to all the muscles
organs etc
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
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 NEUROTRANSMITTERS are the brain chemicals that
communicate information throughout our brain and
body. Major transmitters are manufactured inside
neurons (brain cells) and then used as needed.
Neurons specifically use two key amino acids as
precursors, or building blocks, to make transmitters
from
 They relay signals between nerve cells, called
“neurons.” The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell
your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your
stomach to digest. They can also affect mood, sleep,
concentration, weight, and can cause adverse symptoms
when they are out of balance.
NEUROTRANSMITTORS
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
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CAUSES OF NTs DEFICIENCIES
· GENETIC: A person's genetic make up is responsible for low, high
or balanced levels of transmitters from birth.
· STRESS: Stress depletes neurotransmitters! Any type of stress . .
. lack of sleep, everyday mental and emotional battles or poor
health, will deplete "feel good" transmitters. This results in a
reduction of transmitters needed for sleep, as well as pain blocking
transmitters.
· DIET: The specific amino acids that our brains manufacture
transmitters from are frequently not supplied by our modern diet or
in the way our brain best utilizes them. As stress further depletes
supplies it is difficult, if not impossible, for the brain to restore
necessary amounts to proper levels.
. TOXIC CHEMICALS
. INFECTIONS
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
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NEUROTRANSMITTER DEFICIENCIES
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Depression
Lifelessness
Moods
Irritability
Sleeplessness
Anxiety/Panic
Brain Fog
Stress Damage
 When any of your neurotransmitters are either too
high or too low for optimal balance, you tend to
experience life through the lens of the imbalance.
HORMONAL SYSTEM
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THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
MINDSTITUTE by GROWW
 Breakthroughs by neuroscientists over the last 30 years
indicate that when an emotion is triggered, your
physiology shifts even though you are not consciously
aware of this. This shift sends a message back to the
brain affecting virtually everything the brain does. So
your performance, your ability to act with confidence,
is inextricably linked with your physiology. Mantras,
prayers, yoga, and spiritual practices can have a
beneficial effect on well being
By practising disciplines such as yoga, Lotus meditation,
Tai Chi, and martial arts, you can develop the discipline
to calm your mind and centre your body for effective
action.
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
MINDSTITUTE by GROWW
 Happiness and meditation have been long been linked
together and now western science understands why.
 Lotus Meditation stimulates the release of
neurotransmitters, including opiates, serotonin, oxytocin,
and dopamine. So, we now know that happiness isn’t some
elusive emotion, it’s a physiological state which can be
studied and measured. The effects of Lotus meditation on
all the neurotransmitters change the brains set point for
happiness in a way that no single drug can.
Positive Effects Lotus Meditation Has
on Your Body‘s Natural Chemistry
SEROTONIN
Lotus Meditation also increases the production of serotonin within our brains.
GABA
People who regularly practice lotus meditation have considerably increased levels
of GABA.
DHEA
Lotus Meditation provides a dramatic boost in DHEA hormone levels.
MELATONIN
People who practice Lotus meditation are able to maintain healthy levels of
melatonin by reducing stress and restoring balance. As a result, they sleep more
soundly and wake up feeling refreshed each morning.
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
MINDSTITUTE by GROWW
Endorphins
These same pleasant feelings are also experienced by people
who meditate, and studies show this is due to the higher
levels endorphins that meditation elicits.
HGH
Deep Lotus Meditation dramatically boosts levels of human
growth hormone (HGH), which your body naturally produces
Cortisol
Cortisol is the one hormone you want less amounts of and
Lotus meditation is proven to significantly decrease this
harmful hormone
THE MIND-BODY CONNECT
MINDSTITUTE by GROWW
 “It’s never too late to be
what you might have been."
- -George Eliot
Don't be………
“Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in
two small steps” - The Book of Courage
PEACE AND JOY!